by Valerie Mann
Her gaze never left the box.
***
Perched on the edge of the bed, she fingered the bracelet draped across her palm. Deep blue emerald-cut sapphires in a platinum and diamond setting gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight. She’d never held anything so lovely. Holding the strand up to the light, she admired their warm weight and peered through the clear cobalt gems with a sigh. Each one took her breath away.
The firm knock on the door launched another swarm of butterflies in her stomach. But Chris’s gift had given her an odd sense of confidence she wasn’t ready to analyze. She checked her repaired makeup in the mirror over the desk then slipped into the shoes she had no business wearing, yet hadn’t been able to refuse when she’d shopped for her wedding dress. Four-inch spike heels were sexy and necessary footwear about twice in a girl’s lifetime—her prom and her wedding. Falling off the heels wasn’t so sexy and definitely unnecessary, but vanity and the desire to impress her future husband had won the battle over common sense.
She smoothed her dress one last time, opened the door, and nearly toppled off the spikes. Oh, sweet heaven. What had she done to deserve such manly goodness staring back at her? All of her work at the women’s shelter, volunteering at the Humane Society dog wash, even carting her twelve-year-old neighbor and her five boy-crazy friends to the Justin Bieber concert didn’t begin to explain such fortunate karma. Dressed in a navy sport coat, snow-white shirt contrasting against bronze skin, tailored khaki pants, and Italian leather loafers, Christian Ramos smiled and double-tied the knot in her tongue.
His appreciative gaze swept over her from head to toe before making a slow return to meet her eyes. “You look beautiful.”
She squeezed the door handle, speechless and frozen.
After a moment, he grinned. “May I come in?” She nodded and teetered backward to let him pass. He noticed the empty jeweler’s box on the bed, then the bracelet still clutched in her hand. “I see Juan brought your gift.”
She cleared her throat. “Yes, about a half hour ago.” Their eyes met and held. “Thank you, Christian. This is the loveliest gift I’ve ever received.”
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Ever?” Stepping closer, he held out his hand for the bracelet then fastened it around her wrist. He caressed the stones with his thumb. “A bride is supposed to wear something blue.”
She could barely breathe. “Most men wouldn’t know that.”
“I’m not most men.”
***
“Alex is meeting us downstairs.” Chris stabbed the lobby button on the elevator panel.
Beth’s only reply was to grip a little white purse while she stared up at the descending floor numbers. Her full breasts strained against the fabric of her white dress with each breath, and he had to tear his eyes away from them. God, he could not wait to touch them, taste them. Touch and taste every inch of her, in fact.
When she’d opened the door earlier wearing the tight dress and the sexiest fucking shoes he’d ever seen, he’d taken a direct sucker-punch to the gut. For a split second he considered postponing the wedding and heading straight for the honeymoon.
She’d also worn an expression of vulnerability, terror, and determination, her face pale, yet her eyes met his without hesitation. He couldn’t blame her. Until he’d seen her standing in the doorway, clearly frightened but so determined, he’d felt the same way. And then his gut took another hit at her genuine surprise and delight over his gift. The loveliest gift ever, she’d said.
For that alone, he vowed it wouldn’t be the last.
The elevator car glided to a stop with a tiny bounce and the doors swished open. Beth cleared her throat as though preparing for battle, and worried her lower lip with her tongue. Holy shit, that really was a bad habit. If she only knew what that did to his—
“There you are, Ramos. Get out here so I can kick your ass!”
A tall, dark man blocked their exit, arms crossed over his chest, his black eyes narrowed and threatening.
Christian stopped short and held up one hand. “Kick my ass later, Castillo. I’ve got someplace to be.”
Beth hung back, unsure whether leaving the elevator compromised their safety. She glanced up at Chris, and he appeared more resigned than worried. He placed the other hand on Beth’s back, guiding her into the lobby around Mr. Happy.
The man stepped sideways into their path. His interested gaze landed on Beth, and she’d never felt so instantly and completely assessed. Even without knowing who he was, she hoped she passed muster. Whatever his muster might be, it seemed important to have his approval.
He turned back to Chris. “You check into my hotel and don’t tell me?”
“Why bother? Isn’t that what you have security for?”
“My security shouldn’t have to tell me when my best man is here.”
Best man? Beth eyed him with more interest. These two had some history.
Tension weaved between them for a moment. Then the other man’s frown slipped, and he grinned and enveloped Chris in a quick, thumping man hug. “Evangeline emailed this morning. I see you took my advice and let her work her magic. Congratulations, you bastard.”
Christian returned the embrace. Pulling away, he settled a hand at her waist again. “Beth, this is my old college roommate, Jackson Castillo.”
He turned his full attention to her, and again, she felt distinctly read, as though the man had a bead on every emotion and thought. Could come handy in business and the bedroom—God knew the gorgeous man could star in many a gal’s fantasies—but she didn’t care to have her feelings bared at first glance in the hotel lobby. The lobby of the hotel she was now pretty sure he owned. Her future husband had some powerful friends.
Who exactly am I marrying, anyway?
Jackson smiled, his dark gaze never leaving hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Holding her hand, he bent down to kiss both cheeks, something she’d never experienced before. And decided she liked it.
“Thank you,” she replied, although whether she thanked him for the greeting or the greeting, she wasn’t sure.
He released her hand and turned to Chris. “So, what’s the deal? I don’t hear from you for months, then I get a cryptic email from Eve that you’re getting—” He paused. “Uh oh. Don’t look now.”
Chris glanced in the direction Jackson stared and groaned. “Dude, you could have warned me.”
Both men straightened, wearing identical pained expressions. A delicate woman strode toward them, her long platinum blonde hair fluttering in silky waves behind her, high heels clicking on the marble tile.
She wedged her petite body between the cowering men and glared at Chris. Beth thought for sure she’d stomp one tiny geisha-girl foot.
Chris grinned down at her. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Can it, Christian. Right now, I want to know what’s going on.” She poked his chest. “You can sweet talk me later.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Jackson muttered behind her.
She ignored him. Her voice softened. “Seriously, Chris? Getting married, and you didn’t tell us?”
The entire exchange since they’d stepped off the elevators had been so riveting, Beth almost forgot where they were headed. And her groom looked decidedly chastised by the sudden reminder as well.
She cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Beth. The bride.”
The little woman elbowed out from between Chris and Jackson. “I’m Leah Castillo, Jackson’s wife.” She wrapped her arms around Beth and squeezed. “We’re so excited for both of you, even if we had very little notice.” She frowned up at Chris then waved a dismissive hand. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Here we go,” Jackson muttered again and shrugged at Chris. “The train has left the station.”
Leah held up a palm. “Shhh. Running off to get married is one thing. But that doesn’t mean the day can’t be all about the bride.”
Train, hell. Try steamroller. Or bulldozer.
Speechless, Bet
h cast a pleading glance at Chris.
He grinned.
Her heart fluttered and she had to put her rubbery knees on immediate and mandatory lockdown. Oh, I could fall so hard. Straight down the rabbit hole. She only hoped Chris would be there to catch her before she hit the ground. As if reading her mind, he held out his hand and tugged her to his side.
“Where are you getting married?” Jackson asked.
“Not sure,” Chris said. “Alex has taken care of the arrangements.”
Silence deadened the air.
Leah’s eyes widened. “Oh, my.”
Jackson scratched his jaw and winced. “Bro, are you sure—”
Leah cut him off. “I can have our wedding chapel ready in an hour.” She pulled a phone out of her pants pocket and began to scroll down the screen. “Let me make some calls.”
Chris shook his head. “It’s okay, Alex has lived here for years. I trust him.”
Leah began to protest again, but Jackson laid a palm on her shoulder.
“As long as it’s legal, that’s what counts.” He gave Chris a hearty back thump. “Let me know when you get back here. I’ll have Gina cook something special for you.”
“Gina is the head chef here,” Leah told Beth, then added, “And Jackson’s little sister.”
Though The Castillo resort chain extended to all but one continent, the flagship in Vegas was clearly a family-run hotel.
“How is Gina?” Chris asked.
“Better now that you’re out of the marriage pool.” Jackson arched an eyebrow. “And don’t think that isn’t a relief.”
“It was one kiss over spring break.”
“Yeah, and I still regret bringing you home with me. I should have left your sorry ass at school.”
Leah rolled her eyes then linked an arm through Beth’s. “Gina would be lucky to have Chris and you know it. But it’s too late now. Like you said, Jackson—Christian is no longer available.” She pulled Beth aside. “Now, tell me what you need. Anything at all. I want to help.”
Suddenly overcome, Beth pushed back the lump in her throat. Until Leah’s offer, she’d forgotten how alone she’d been, and for how long. She’d become independent, to the point of loneliness. She had no idea what to ask for, but Leah had no intention of letting her leave without helping in some way. Even simple sympathy would help. And she had two pressing things that needed sympathy.
“My feet are killing me,” she blurted.
Leah looked down at Beth’s stilettos and tsked. “I have so been there.”
They stared at the offending footwear for a moment.
“I’d empty my bank account if I could take them off.” As if hearing her whining, Beth’s toes squealed like piggies headed to market.
“Well, we both know that won’t be happening for awhile.” Leah sighed. “They are really hot though.”
“And necessary.”
They cast knowing glances at the men behind them. And giggled.
“From what Jackson has told me about his bachelor days with Chris, I doubt you’ll be wearing them for long.” Leah wiggled her eyebrows.
An unbidden visual of her future husband pulling the wicked shoes off her feet tied Beth’s tongue. Heat flowed through her in a sensual wave and she shivered.
“Looks like your ride is here.” Jackson interrupted her fantasy and pointed toward the street entrance where Alex pushed through the revolving doors.
He jogged toward them, tapping his watch with one finger. “Hey, you’re going to be late.”
A sudden, literal urge to run engulfed her. Adrenaline surged and her muscles tightened, preparing for flight. Not even her necessary shoes were a match for the run her body planned to take. Finally, and fortunately, terror won out and immobilized her.
Black dots swam before her eyes and she swayed.
A strong, warm, hand grasped hers. She clutched the lifeline.
Chris squeezed back. “Ready?”
Chapter Four
“You look lovely, Ms. Malone.”
Beth paused on the steps and smiled at the doorman. “Thank you, Antonio.”
Chris scowled at him and guided her into the backseat of Alex’s Hummer. The uniformed man ignored the warning and returned to his post at the top of the carpeted stairs while his gaze followed Beth into the vehicle. His familiarity annoyed an already stressed groom-to-be and Chris fought the urge to punch his best friend’s employee.
Beth scooted across the seat to make room. Her dress rode up, giving Chris a tantalizing view of a smooth, tanned thigh before she shifted and straightened the fabric. He might not know her all that well yet, but he looked forward to getting to know her a hell of a lot better.
She ran her palms over the tops of her thighs and sighed. Worried her lower lip with her tongue.
He closed his eyes before he ended up watching long enough to sport a boner he couldn’t hide.
“Are you okay?”
His eyes snapped open. “Huh?”
The corner of her mouth tipped upward. “I keep telling myself this will all be over soon.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and flushed.
Fascinated, he stared at the pink glow spreading below the neckline of her dress and wondered how far down that blush actually went. He’d have to make her blush later, in bed. So he could watch.
Leaning over, he tugged her hand down and covered it with his. “Regrets already?”
The determination he’d seen earlier resurfaced. She stiffened and reached behind her shoulder for the seat belt. “That’s not what I meant.” But the rosy color deepened.
His cock stirred. Shit.
Alex hopped up into the front seat and plucked aviator sunglasses off the dash. “You two lovebirds ready to get this party started?” He turned around and grinned. “And just so we’re clear—I am invited this time.”
No matter what it may have sounded like, she had no true regrets. Her belly swarmed with butterflies the size of pterodactyls, and her hands wanted to wring themselves silly. But that was only nerves. She did want to get this party started, because then it would be over. And she’d be Christian’s wife and she’d finally have a life. She wouldn’t be alone, she’d have companionship. And bonus—a sex life again.
She snuck a glance at her soon-to-be spouse. He stared out the window, his arm on the door armrest, drumming his fingers. Her gaze landed on his lap and the clear outline of his cock through the thin wool of his trousers. A low hum of desire pulsed between her legs. She inhaled and tore her attention away before he noticed her staring at his groin. Definitely missed having a sex life.
Alex glanced in his rearview mirror at them. “This is it, up ahead.” Slowing down, he swung into a gravel parking lot then parked and cut the engine.
The Desert Rose Wedding Chapel.
It looked neither desert-ish nor rosy, but more like a seaside cottage straight out of a New England postcard. They got out and stared over a whitewashed picket fence at the fake green ivy creeping up the walls and the plastic flowers lining an even faker cobblestone walkway.
“The iron bars on the windows add a nice touch,” Chris drawled. He frowned at his brother. “Seriously, this was the best you could do? Who gets married in a place with a name like The Desert Cactus?”
“Desert Rose,” Alex corrected. “And you aren’t getting married here.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “You’re getting married there.”
Beth followed his thumb. And stared.
An authentic replica of the top floors of the Empire State Building sat in the corner of the lot. She watched with horrified fascination as a purple neon gorilla flickered its way up the side of the building. Over and over, the ape crawled up, only to start at the bottom all over again. One oversized fist clutched a tiny Fay Wray, her arms outstretched over the top of his hammy grip, her lipsticked mouth in a permanent O. A dented model airplane on a metal pole whirred around and around the building, teasing the beast mercilessly.
Chris took a step back, bumping the sud
denly quaint Desert Rose’s fence. “What. The. Fuck.”
“I know.” Alex leaned a hip against the Hummer’s fender and grinned. “Pretty cool, huh?”
Sensing Chris’s coiled anger, Beth tore her eyes away from the ridiculous sight and wondered how her almost-husband would handle the unwelcome surprise.
He stood, motionless and tense, watching the ape flicker its way up and down for a couple more seconds before turning his attention to his brother. His voice was flat with anger. “Tell me you’re joking.”
Alex straightened away from the vehicle. “Come on, you have to admit it’s freaking hilarious. Someday you’ll tell your grandkids about this.”
“We won’t be telling our grandchildren about this because we aren’t getting married here.” Chris pushed away from the fence, his face brick red under his tan. “Damn it, Alex. Can you ever do anything normal?”
His brother gave a harsh laugh. “Yeah, because everything about this situation is just so very normal.”
Beth winced. He had a point. Putting the day—hell, the last few months since Madame Eve had offered to arrange their marriage—into perspective, marrying in the King Kong Chapel, or whatever it was called, really wasn’t so strange.
She eased in front of Chris and faced him. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Beth. This is not what I envisioned for us.”
Changing the subject, she asked, “Do you have the license?”
He patted the front of his sport coat. “Yes.”
She glanced up at the sign above the front door, then over at Alex. “Is this place—The Empire of Love Chapel—legit?”
He grinned. “Absolutely. I know the owner.”
“Of course he does,” Chris murmured.
“Well then, I’m fine with it. Come on.” Slipping her hand into his, she started walking.
“Atta girl.” Alex slapped the hood of the SUV and followed them across the parking lot.
***
“Don’t say anything.” Beth stifled a laugh at Chris’s aghast expression. Recorded bird calls cawed from a speaker, competing with jungle drumbeats. Over the front desk in the reception area, mechanical parrots swung from tiny trapezes amidst a tangle of dusty vines. The room had a decidedly jungle scent. She didn’t want to think where it came from since there wasn’t a single living thing in sight. Other than human, that was.